Senior citizen discount on traffic fines proposed in House bill 

A BILL that seeks to give senior citizens, or those 60 years and above, a discount on traffic fines has been filed at the House of Representatives.    

“This bill further accords our senior citizen-drivers the privilege of enjoying a discount of 20 percent on traffic fines that may be imposed upon them,” Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan S. Fernandez said in the bill’s explanatory note.    

Mr. Fernandez said the government should consider that many elderly citizens still support their families despite declining reflexes.   

House Bill 5402, which seeks to amend Republic Act 9994 or the expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, covers all traffic fines imposed by both national government agencies and local government units.    

Under the measure, the Land Transportation Office and the Metro Manila Development Authority are directed to draw the implementing rules and regulations if the bill is enacted into law.   

“Given the usual small amount of such charges, it may be argued that whatever revenue loss to the government that might arise from the proposed discount, would be far outweighed by the benefit of promoting the welfare and morale of our senior citizens,” he said.    

Senior citizens make up 8.5% of the country’s population or 9.2 million individuals, based on the 2020 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo